Corn ethanol production is advancing in Brazil, combining the "farm, food, fuel" model.

Brazilian company Inpasa demonstrates how integrated production models accelerate the participation of cereals in the Brazilian biofuel matrix.

Ethanol corn It should reach a share of one-third of Brazilian production as early as the 2027/28 harvest, two years ahead of projection, according to estimates from the consulting firm StoneX, reflecting the rapid expansion of installed capacity for processing the grain in the country. Ethanol from corn It currently represents 27% of the total volume produced in Brazil – a share that should reach 33.6% in 2027/28.

This evolution will be accompanied by strong growth in industrial capacity. According to the consultancy, corn ethanol production should reach 13.6 billion liters in 2027/28, an increase of 29.7% over the previous season.

The movement also highlights the transformation of corn into an industrial platform capable of generating multiple products, in addition to fuel. One of the main examples is Inpasa, which is already the second largest ethanol producer in the world. The company produced 6.7 billion liters of ethanol in 2026, with a projection of 8.6 billion liters in 2027. During the same period, grain processing is expected to increase from 15 million to 19 million tons. 

The company's model combines anhydrous, hydrated, and neutral ethanol with co-products such as DDGS (distillers dried grains with solubles), technical corn oil, and electricity. The platform processes corn, sorghum, and biomass, transforming different fractions of the raw materials into fuels, ingredients for animal nutrition, and industrial inputs. 

Among the main co-products is FortiPro DDGS, obtained during the production of corn ethanol. Rich in protein, energy, and digestible fiber, the ingredient is intended for feeding cattle, pigs, and poultry. Inpasa projects production of 3.5 million tons of DDGS in 2026. 

Another relevant stream is technical corn oil, whose production capacity is expected to reach 340,000 tons annually in 2026 and 436,000 tons in 2027. The product can be used as a raw material for FAME, HVO, and SAF, as well as in the chemical industry. 

Industrial expansion is accompanied by investments in logistics and infrastructure. Inpasa operates in eight Brazilian and European ports, owns more than 500 trucks, and is expanding its rail, waterway, and storage infrastructure to support volume growth. The company also reports exports to more than 40 countries.

One of the key differentiators presented by the company is its Brazilian model for second-crop corn production. The corn is cultivated after the soybean harvest, using the same agricultural area and, according to the company, avoiding the need to open new areas. The system also allows for the simultaneous generation of fuel and co-products for animal feed.

According to Bruno Maier, Institutional Relations Manager at Inpasa, the company demonstrates in practice that it is possible to reconcile agricultural production for food purposes with the generation of clean and sustainable energy. 

“Unlike the European model, which often fuels the debate about the competition between ‘food versus fuel,’ the Brazilian multicropping system offers an integrated solution for food and energy security,” argues the executive.

Inpasa is further expanding the possibilities for using ethanol beyond road transport. In October 2025, the ship Laura Mærsk conducted a test with an E10 blend using second-crop corn ethanol from the company. In December, an E50 test confirmed the operational viability of a 50% ethanol blend. In May 2026, the first voyage with 100% ethanol was completed on a dual-fuel ship prepared for methanol. 

In turn, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recognized the route of Brazilian ethanol from second-crop corn, with a reduction of almost 781 tp/t in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional bunker fuel. 

The advancement projected by StoneX, therefore, occurs in parallel with the transformation of corn ethanol into a broader industrial platform. The growth in production capacity tends to expand not only the supply of biofuel, but also the availability of proteins for animal feed, oils for other biofuels, and new industrial applications for a chain based on the complete utilization of the grain.